#1 – The Celtics introduced Darius Garland again to earth
For the reason that begin of the season, Darius Garland had been enjoying at an All-NBA degree. The taking pictures, the drives, the passing recreation—the whole lot was clean and environment friendly… till he confronted Jrue Vacation. The size and toughness of the two-time champion made issues tougher for the younger Cavs guard, who additionally missed some open alternatives.
Particular point out to Mr. Al Horford, who blocked him twice. This occurred when the Celtics lastly stopped utilizing the drop protection, however we’ll come again to that later.
Nevertheless, there’s extra to it than simply how the Celtics defended Garland. When the Celtics have been working their offense, they made him work, continually attacking him. We’ve talked about this in earlier articles, however the mismatch-hunting strategy has a double impact: it makes the offense extra environment friendly and in addition drains the opponent’s star of vitality.
After terrorizing NBA defenses for 15 straight video games, Darius Garland was introduced again to earth. Different groups is perhaps impressed by the Celtics’ strategy to make him work on protection. Nonetheless, Garland received’t maintain lacking open photographs, and different groups don’t have Jrue Vacation, Derrick White, or Al Horford to disrupt his offense.
#2 – Horford’s pick-and-roll defensive strategy
It would sound like a damaged file, however Al Horford’s drop protection doesn’t work. Nevertheless, the Celtics’ teaching employees appears intent on making it work. Perhaps they’re giving him reps, hoping that sooner or later it’ll. Nonetheless, the teaching employees is aware of find out how to adapt.
After just a few possessions, the Celtics modified their defensive protection for Mobley’s pick-and-rolls. With Jayson Tatum guarding Jarrett Allen, the Cavs spammed the pick-and-roll with Mobley because the screener. Maybe they need to have tried extra inverted pick-and-rolls, as they’ve usually achieved this season.
As soon as the Celtics began switching, Horford proved he may nonetheless include and comply with a few of the NBA’s greatest ball handlers. When he does this, different Celtics don’t have to assist, which reduces the influence of Garland’s passing recreation.
That’s another excuse why drop protection is dangerous in opposition to elite guards: it creates gaps within the protection that nice passers can exploit. By switching, the Celtics soak up these gaps, suffocate the opposing offense, and power groups to beat them one-on-one.
#3 – Boston’s drive-and-kick recreation on full show within the first half
The Celtics’ recreation plan wasn’t a lot totally different from final 12 months’s playoff collection in opposition to the Cavaliers. As typical, the aim was to hunt mismatches and exploit them. In the course of the first half, the Celtics drove aggressively, forcing the Cavaliers to assist. This opened up photographs from past the arc. Of their 45 discipline aim makes an attempt within the first half, 22 have been threes.
Was it defensive strategy by the Cavs? Wanting on the numbers, it doesn’t appear so, because the Celtics led by 17 at halftime. Nevertheless, it did restrict Boston’s influence within the paint. The Celtics made simply seven of their 16 makes an attempt close to the rim in the course of the first half—a testomony to Cleveland’s rim safety.
So why did it appear ineffective? The Celtics shot 64% (!!!) from three within the first half, making the Cavs’ technique look unhealthy, although it may need been the best name. This highlights why the Celtics are so onerous to defend: you may make the best resolution and nonetheless be fallacious.
#4 – Kenny Atkinson needed the Cavs to cease overhelping
On TNT, we heard that Kenny Atkinson informed his staff to cease overhelping after halftime. The aim was to restrict open threes after the Celtics punished them within the first half. When you may assume this would cut back Boston’s three-point quantity, they nonetheless tried 19 threes on 40 second-half discipline aim makes an attempt. Although the Celtics’ effectivity dipped, they remained above common, taking pictures 43% from three.
With much less assist from Cleveland’s protection, Boston discovered it simpler to get to the rim. This shift might have value the Cavs the sport, as we are going to detailed in Takeaway #6. Nevertheless, it additionally compelled the Celtics to take tougher photographs, decreasing their shot high quality and offensive ranking from 141 factors per 100 possessions within the first half to 114 within the second.
#5 – The Cavs’ run
The Cavs mounted a formidable comeback in the course of the second half of the third quarter. Whereas the Celtics combined their bench with starters, the Cavs attacked Neemias Queta. The Portuguese massive man was assigned to Craig Porter Jr., so Cleveland used Porter as a screener to contain Queta in pick-and-rolls.
This technique pulled Queta away from the rim, leaving Jayson Tatum—who was guarding Mobley—unable to each include Mobley and defend the paint.
Because the Celtics settled for leap photographs, Cleveland locked down rebounds and pushed in transition. Within the meantime, Cavs maintain exploiting Queta’s inexperience by isolating him on Donovan Mitchell, turning the tables on Boston.
#6 – Clutch minutes
Within the clutch, the Celtics saved Horford in switch-everything mode, and it paid off. Horford blocked a Garland layup after shadowing him all the way in which from the three-point line.
Offensively, the Celtics began with pull-ups from Jayson Tatum and Derrick White however rapidly shifted to attacking the rim.
As talked about earlier, the Cavs stopped serving to on drives. The Celtics countered by isolating weaker defenders and driving whereas conserving Mobley away from the rim. For instance, an empty-side handoff to Jaylen Brown allowed him to assault Ty Jerome whereas steering away from Mobley, stationed within the strong-side nook on Jrue Vacation.
Donovan Mitchell’s late-game heroics weren’t sufficient to offset Boston’s relentless driving assault. A dagger layup by Jaylen Brown sealed the sport for the Celtics, who turned Cleveland’s defensive technique in opposition to them by dominating the rim.
#7 – Publish-up recreation
Regardless of Kristaps Porzingis’ absence, the Celtics maintained one of many highest post-up volumes within the league. Jaylen Brown, who has elevated his post-up utilization this season, punished the Cavs’ protection.
The Cavs’ accidents left them counting on gamers like Sam Merrill, George Niang, and Ty Jerome—none of whom may successfully guard Boston’s wings. The Celtics exploited this, posting up mismatches and creating alternatives for his or her shooters.
Wanting forward, it is going to be fascinating to see how Cleveland adjusts in future matchups when their main defenders, reminiscent of Isaac Okoro and Max Strus, can be found.
#8 – Rim safety Continues to be a difficulty
As Bobby Manning famous just lately, the Celtics’ rim safety stays a priority, and it was on full show in opposition to the Cavs. Regardless of Cleveland’s lack of spacing, they dominated inside.
First, Boston’s lazy transition protection created issues. The Celtics have been usually gradual to get again, leaving themselves susceptible to quick breaks generated by Cleveland’s robust protection.
Moreover, off-ball motion uncovered Boston’s defensive lapses. Backdoor cuts, just like these seen in video games in opposition to Toronto and Atlanta, repeatedly punished the Celtics. Even a participant like George Niang, not identified for quickness, managed to get behind the protection for straightforward appears to be like.
By the top of the sport, the Cavs made 75% of their makes an attempt on the rim—a obtrusive difficulty for a staff with championship aspirations.
#9 – Sharing the ball
It would go unnoticed, however the Celtics assisted on 76% of their made discipline targets. Much more impressively, seven of their eight lively gamers had a number of assists.
Whereas it would appear to be the Celtics are overly reliant on threes, they create these alternatives by way of wonderful ball motion. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown initiated a lot of the offense, however Jrue Vacation and Derrick White, two of the league’s greatest connectors, performed key roles in exploiting benefits and producing high-quality photographs.
Success begins with figuring out your function and trusting your teammates.
#10 – Al Horford perpetually
Time appears to haven’t any impact on Al Horford. The third decide from the 2007 draft continues to anchor the Celtics on each ends.
Defensively, Horford contested 14 photographs, made 5 box-outs, and registered three blocks. Solely Evan Mobley—arguably a DPOY frontrunner—matched his defensive exercise.
Offensively, Horford delivered once more. The Celtics posted a +29 web ranking with him on the ground, in comparison with a stunning -53 with out him. His adaptability and veteran presence stay the glue holding this staff collectively.
